Courtship culminates with court wedding

Luz and Edwin Rodriguez say "I dos" as State Supreme Court Justice Anthony I. Giacobbe officiates in the Supreme Court Building in St. George. To the right is best man Paul Collins. At left is court officer Doris Martir.

We’re told it was a first in the Supreme Court Building in St. George.

It turns out that Edwin is the first court employee that Justice Giacobbe knows of to have had his marriage performed by a judge in that particular building — and he’s delighted to have officiated.

“We rearranged my courtroom for the occasion and we provided music — by compact disc — and Edwin invited everyone in the Supreme Court buildings and the County Clerk’s offices,” Giacobbe explains.

Giacobbe’s court clerk, Agnes McLaughlin, rushed out to Barnes & Noble to purchase a “Here Comes The Bride” CD and played it on her CD player as the bride made her entrance into the courtroom.

She then proceeded to play “Hot, Hot, Hot” as bride and groom exited.

Leaving no stone unturned, Edwin and his best man, Paul Collins, entered the courtroom to the tune of Elton John’s “Can You Feel The Love Tonight” from “The Lion King.”

And to have the proceedings be all the more official, witnesses to Luz and Edwin’s wedding ceremony were court clerks, court officers, court reporters, as well as social workers.

Luz’s parents, Luz and Louis Peguero, and her siblings — twin brothers George and Stephan Peguero and sister Keyona Peguero — also were on hand as were Carmen and Edwin Rodriguez, Edwin’s parents, along with Edwin’s twin sister, Erica, and brother Anthony, who of course, shed customary tears of joy.

Edwin points out that his parents were married in court and will celebrate their 25th wedding anniversary — so he thought the court ceremony would bring him good luck.

According to Justice Giacobbe, Edwin is a well-liked data entry clerk within the Unified Court System of the Supreme Court. He’s based in an office next to Justice Giacobbe’s courtroom. Luz is a personal banker for Chase Bank.

The awesome twosome met when Edwin picked up his twin sister, Erica Rodriquez, for the weekend from Mount St. Mary College, Newburgh, N.Y. — and the two became friends.

Luz is a former Newburgh resident. It seems that Luz answered the door, conversation ensued and when Luz offered Edwin a Smores miniature candy bar and Capri Sun fruit drink — it was love at first sight. The couple dated for four years before they got engaged in July 2009.

And by the way, the ceremony took place while staffers broke for lunch.

Luz and Edwin report that on Friday, their church pastor performed a religious ceremony at the famed Leonard’s of Great Neck, L.I., where a reception followed.

Luz and Edwin plan to honeymoon in Walt Disney World and from there, they’re off to Mexico.

The couple call Richmond — near the Historic Richmond Town Restoration — home.